Traces of the Snow Wind Palace (1)
While girls became disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace, what about boys?
That question was answered clearly by his explanation.
"That's why the Snow Wind Palace existed."
"Pardon?"
"It was a place established to raise the sons born to the women of the North Sea Ice Palace. That place was the Snow Wind Palace."
He provided further details.
Some children, born of love's fruit, were raised in their fathers' arms, but that wasn't always the case.
When it wasn't, the Snow Wind Palace took on the role of raising those children.
The kids grew up there, and when the North Sea Ice Palace opened its doors to girls, they entered as disciples.
But for the boys, they remained at the Snow Wind Palace as its disciples.
"And the stories behind the boys who became Snow Wind Palace disciples were incredibly varied. Some had lost their fathers, others didn't even know who their fathers were, or their families outright denied them."
His words brought to mind the madman who had attacked me when I met Geum-ryeong and obtained the Silver Dance Sword.
Yu Deok-jin of the Snow Wind Palace.
And the contents of the letter he carried.
"As I told you before, bring that sword to me. Then, I will acknowledge you as my son."
So that's why Yu Deok-jin had stolen the Silver Dance Sword.
To gain recognition from the father who had denied him.
I'd heard the Snow Wind Palace had been wiped out by the Demonic Cult, but my instincts told me there was more to the story—something far more complicated.
"So, was the Snow Wind Palace founded by the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"No, that's not the case. Long ago, a retired leader of the Murim Alliance heard of these circumstances and helped establish the Snow Wind Palace. Back then, it wasn't a martial force."
He continued.
"In time, a genius in martial arts was born among them, and under that person's leadership, the Snow Wind Palace grew into a powerful martial organization. They honored that individual as their Grand Elder."
That Grand Elder must be the one who left behind the manual of insights I'd discovered earlier.
"You know quite a lot about the Snow Wind Palace."
"I heard various stories from a close friend."
"Ah... You mean the one who fell in battle when the Snow Wind Palace was destroyed?"
"That's right."
"But didn't the Snow Wind Palace fall about a decade ago? What about the children all this time...?"
To my question, he hesitated before answering.
"I'm looking after them."
"Pardon?"
"Those children—I'm the one taking care of them."
......
......
The next day at dawn.
I rose early, finished my meditation and breath regulation.
What I sensed then was how perfectly suited the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art I'd cultivated was to this northern sea region, as it was a technique created here.
The efficiency was several times greater than when I'd practiced at home.
Considering how it had performed better in winter, it seemed the colder the environment, the more effective the technique became.
How on earth had someone eradicated the Snow Wind Palace, which wielded martial arts specialized for this north and used the northern blizzards as weapons?
But I quickly pushed the thought aside. It wasn't something I could figure out right now anyway.
I considered following up meditation with sword training but gave up on the idea.
If any North Sea Ice Palace disciples saw me practicing or sensed my energy, it could lead to trouble.
Better to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Maybe I'd woken up too early since I wasn't even training.
Hm?
That's when I felt bustling presences outside. Among them were the girls I'd met yesterday and their escorts.
Leaving already?
When I went down to the first floor, I saw many people exchanging farewells.
"Take care of your health and live well."
"Yes."
"Even if it's tough, endure it. The family's fate rests in your hands."
"I understand."
"Please, take care of yourself."
"Thank you for escorting us this far. Our family will pay the remaining fee."
"Got it. Safe travels."
Amid those sharing parting sentiments, the group I'd met yesterday was doing the same.
"Father, you must take care. And tell the children I'm doing well."
"I will."
"Yeon-rang, return safely."
"We'll meet again."
"Of course."
"Take good care of Hyun-i."
"Don't worry."
I turned to look at another girl.
"Oppa."
"Don't worry about us—just take care of yourself."
Watching them, an odd feeling stirred in me.
Thwack!
Then one woman struck the floor with her sword sheath and declared,
"Then, we depart. Follow me."
They left the inn and headed toward the foggy area behind it.
"Ugh!"
"Urk!"
The women passed into the fog without issue, but the men following behind were all blocked one by one.
It was as if the fog had solidified, shoving them back.
"Is this that famous fog?"
"Ah..."
They stared longingly beyond the fog before turning away one by one and reentering the inn.
A tangle of complex emotions emanated from their retreating figures.
That said, fog repelling people—what trick was this?
Curious, I reached out and touched the fog.
Swoosh.
Hm? That's strange.
The fog that had repelled the other men offered no resistance to my hand.
Just then, Palgap's voice came from behind.
"What are you doing here, young master?"
"Ah! Palgap."
I called to Palgap and pointed at the fog.
"Try touching this."
"...?"
Palgap tilted his head but did as I said, reaching toward the fog.
Thud.
"Huh? W-what is this? There's nothing there, so why can't my hand go through?"
"......"
"Whoa! So mysterious!"
I'm a man too—why didn't it block my hand?
But spreading word of this wouldn't do any good, so I just smiled quietly and changed the subject.
"This leads to the North Sea Ice Palace, so it's probably to keep men out."
We returned to the inn, did some light basic training in our room, then came down to the first floor for breakfast.
Now it was time to seek out the traces of the Snow Wind Palace my master had mentioned.
"Good morning."
As we sat at a suitable table, the server came to take our order.
"What can I get for you?"
"Something light for breakfast?"
"In that case, our dish made with fresh tofu would be perfect."
"We'll have that, then."
After ordering, Palgap sighed and said,
"We have to brave those gazes again, huh."
"We do. That's why we came all this way."
"I hear the winds here are terribly fierce. We've made it this far unscathed, but who knows what lies ahead—it's worrying."
"Don't worry too much. We'll manage somehow."
"I'm jealous of that Snow Wind Palace's disciples. They could command the snow winds, after all."
The woman who'd taken our order was the one to refute that.
"Oh, that's not quite right."
"Pardon?"
"It's true the Snow Wind Palace members could control the snow winds, but not everyone—only the Palace Lord and their direct lineage had that power."
"Ah, I see."
Just then, someone called her from the kitchen, cutting the conversation short.
"Ah! Daehyeop."
"Good morning."
The men we'd met and traveled with yesterday came down.
The girl's father, the young man in their group, and the girl's older brother.
They all looked forlorn, especially the girl's brother, who was alone.
I invited them to join us.
"If it's alright, why not share a meal?"
"Thank you."
They sat at our table, ordered food, and the girl's brother spoke first.
"Did everyone rest well?"
"Yes, very well."
"Well... My name is Han Jae-ik."
Since he'd given his name, I should reciprocate.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho."
At my greeting, the girl's father also introduced himself.
"My name is Yeom Jin-yeon. And this young man beside me is someone I have a connection with and travel with."
He bowed his head quietly in greeting.
"Still, I'm worried about my little sister. I hear training at the North Sea Ice Palace is grueling... I wonder if she'll endure."
Yeom Daehyeop comforted Han Jae-ik.
"The North Sea Ice Palace is still run by people. They won't be too harsh—don't worry."
"That's a relief, then. I hope she holds up..."
"You seem quite anxious."
"Yes, my sister didn't enter by choice—it was out of necessity."
"What do you mean?"
To my question, he let out a deep sigh and explained.
"It's complicated, but the reason I brought my sister here is that while she was away, marriage proposals started coming."
"Isn't a marriage a good thing?"
"Not this kind. There's a powerful clan near our family, and their clan lord is sending a matchmaker to take my sister as his ninth wife—we left in a hurry upon hearing that."
"Not ninth concubine, but wife?"
"Yes, wife. The problem is all his previous wives have died."
"All eight of them?"
"Yes, most under mysterious circumstances, but ruled as suicides in the end."
"......"
Only then did we grasp the situation.
"Then, isn't your family in danger too, Han Sohyeop?"
"Even so, my parents said this was preferable."
They'd chosen sending their daughter to the North Sea Ice Palace—even if it meant hardship—over letting her be murdered and living with that resentment.
The situation was heartbreaking.
Why wouldn't the world leave good, honest people in peace?
"Where is your clan located, Sohyeop?"
"From Henan."
Since the Fengzhou Escort Agency was in Henan, they'd probably contracted right from home.
Henan wasn't far from Hubei, so I offered a small gesture.
"If things become unbearable, come to the Eunhae Merchant Group. We can provide work at least."
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
It stung my pride to think someone I'd helped might suffer at another's hands.
Yeom Daehyeop said to him,
"That said... getting home will be the issue. The road from here to Henan isn't safe."
"That's what worries me too."
"In that case, propose it to the escorts now that the commission's done. Personal jobs are technically forbidden, but since they're heading back anyway, it won't hurt them."
He added,
"Even if they won't go all the way to Henan, you could hire them to a major city midway."
"That's a good idea. Thank you for the advice."
By then, breakfast arrived. We finished eating and returned to our rooms.
Everyone busied themselves packing, and I headed to Yeom Daehyeop's room for a moment.
"Daehyeop, it's Eun Seo-ho."
"Ah, come in."
As I entered, Yeom Daehyeop was packing too.
"Might I have a word?"
He nodded and told the young man with him,
"Step out and rest for a bit."
"Yes."
He left without protest, and Yeom Daehyeop offered me a seat.
"What is it?"
"You mentioned yesterday that you're raising the children born to North Sea Ice Palace women."
"Ah, yes."
"How do you handle the finances?"
"I take personal commissions or sponsorships to cover it."
"Would you need any additional sponsorship? I'd like to contribute."
In my view, Yeom Daehyeop's sponsor was probably my master.
I'd become convinced listening to the earlier conversation.
Yeom Daehyeop had spoken of his friend's death with too much composure. Knowing the Snow Wind Palace so intimately suggested a deep bond.
And only the Snow Wind Palace's direct lineage could control the snow winds.
My master had called the True Snow Twelve Form Swordsmanship a hereditary art—not a sect technique, meaning only direct descendants could learn it.
Putting it together led to my conclusion.
My master was a surviving direct descendant of the destroyed Snow Wind Palace, his close friend was Yeom Jin-yeon Daehyeop.
And to keep my master's survival secret, he'd claimed his friend was dead.
In any case, as a disciple learning Snow Wind Palace arts, it was only right for me to provide support.
Strictly speaking, those children Yeom Daehyeop was raising were my martial siblings.
I had the money to spare.
"Your sudden offer of sponsorship catches me off guard. Of course I'm grateful, but may I ask why?"
"Just... think of it as me feeling sorry for those kids after hearing their story."
He pondered briefly, then nodded.
"I can't refuse given the circumstances. I'll gratefully accept."
I immediately pulled out a bill of exchange and handed it over. He stared at it in shock.
"A-are you... really sponsoring this enormous sum?"